XavierIntroduction to Types of Machining Vises
A machining vise can be used as a manual component or a machining tool. It is a mechanical device used to hold a workpiece steady during machining. Many traditional production facilities use machining vises for tasks that require precise machining and tight tolerances.
Manual vises have several advantages, but machining vises are generally better suited to hold a workpiece still during high-speed machining. Since high-speed machining can generate huge vibrations, machining vises are designed to reduce vibrations and provide superior stability.
1.What is a machining vise?
In the dictionary, a vise is described as “a variety of tool with two jaws for clamping a workpiece, usually closed by screws, levers, or cams”. This is a fairly general statement.
A more specific description would be: “a variety of tool used to hold an object firmly while it is being operated on, usually having two jaws that can be pulled together or apart by screws, levers, or anything similar.”
When we refer to vises in the remaining paragraphs of this article, we are referring to tools with fixed and movable jaws. Fortunately or unfortunately, there are still many options when choosing a vise. These are the vises we considered for our CNC milling machine.
To help you choose the ideal vise for your machine, we also provide evaluation criteria. Different vises may work better in your application.
2.Types of Machining Vises
There are many types of machining vises. The main types are introduced below.
The 18 types of machining vises include:
- Machinist vises
- CNC vises
- Tool vises
- Pipe vises
- Flange machine vises
- Universal machine vises
- Vertical machine vises
- Rotating machine vises
- Metalworking vises
- Woodworking vises
- Heavy duty vises
- Medium bench vises
- Chain vises
- Yoke vises
- Leg vices
- Hand vises
- Combination hand vises
- Pin vises
1) Machinist vises
These are the traditional vises commonly found on many manual milling machines. The vise can be fixed to the milling machine table using the flange on the side, which is a simple and practical solution. The downside to these vises is that they take up more space on your milling machine’s table than the other options discussed below.
These vises come in two variations: one with a swivel base and one with a permanent base. They are both great choices for entry-level vises.
2) CNC vises
CNC vises are able to meet the challenges of mechanical vises by using a more compact design but offering the same strong holding power as mechanical vises. Because of their smaller size, a greater number of vises can be used simultaneously in a smaller space.
Multiple sides of CNC vises are precision ground so they can clamp horizontally and sideways. Although it can be a little tricky to secure them to the table without flanges, this vise comes with a specialized table clamp that can handle this. CNC vises also come in a locking design.
3) Toolmaking vises
Toolmaking vises are more difficult to operate, but are smaller, cheaper, and more accurate. This is because they are tightened using multi-stage latches instead of long screws. Toolmaking vises are often used when workpieces need to be transferred from one machine to another.
Without damaging the workpiece, you can leave it in a small tool-making machine and transfer it to other equipment such as a drill press, milling machine, surface grinder or larger machinist vise.
A tool-making vise does not usually include accessories such as interchangeable jaws or work stops like machinist and CNC vises, but it uses a similar locking design to prevent the jaws from rising.
4) Pipe clamp
When doing plumbing work, a pipe clamp is used to hold pipes while cutting or threading them. It can accommodate pipe clamps with a diameter of 200 mm or as small as 3 mm. It can be mounted on a workbench or used with a portable tripod.
Lightweight and easily transportable mobile tripods are often used for work that needs to be done outside the workplace. Longer pipes can be created by combining two or more.
5) Flange machine vise
Heavy duty machinist vise is another name for a flange machinist vise. This type of machinist vise is used to hold items that often subject the operator to shock during machining. One end of the spindle is fitted with a square end and a box handle is fixed to turn the spindle.
6) Universal Machine Vise
This type of machine vise is very practical and is used frequently. The advantage of this type of machine vise is that it can work in a variety of directions, including horizontal, vertical, and angled. It is mainly used for production tools.
7) Vertical Machine Vise
Vertical machine vise is different from all other vises. As the name implies, the workpiece in this vise is clamped vertically. This vise does not have jaws, but has flanges. It is very simple to use.
8) Rotary Machine Vise
The rotary machine vise is similar to the flange machine vise in construction and structure, but it has a different type of base that allows the vise to rotate to any angle. The advantage is that straight or angled work can be performed without removing the task from the vise.
9) Metalworking Vise
These vises are often called machinist vises or engineer vises. It keeps the metal parts in place. The slotted bars of metalworking vises are made of steel, although the vise is mainly made of cast iron.
Cast iron is chosen because it is strong, durable, and affordable. Typically, metalworking vises are used for processes like cutting and filing.
The jaws of this type of metalworking vise are usually removable within the unit so that they can be replaced. The jaws of metalworking vises are coated with soft materials such as aluminum, wood, copper, or plastic and are used for delicate work. The purpose of this is to protect the contents.
Typically, a metalworking vise is fixed to a workbench with the front of the jaws extending just to the front edge. Behind the vise body of a metalworking vise, there may be a small anvil.
10) Woodworking vise
This type of vise is used in woodworking workshops. The jaws are used when making this type of vise. To clamp the workpiece securely, one jaw grabs the workpiece while the other jaw rests against the workpiece. The jaws can be securely operated by a screw mechanism.
Wood, plastic, and metal are commonly used to make woodworking vises. Depending on the precise task that has to be completed, it has to be done.
11) Heavy duty vise
Heavy duty bench vise is mainly made of iron so that it can withstand heavy use. Split steel jaws, an ACME threaded master screw, and a precision slide bar are the components of a heavy duty bench vise. A sturdy bench vise rests on a fixed platform.
12) Medium Duty Bench Vise
The heavy duty bench vise mentioned earlier is closely related to the medium duty bench vise. Additionally, the heavy duty bench vise is made of iron and offers the option of replacing the steel upper jaw. Some of these jaws also include an integrated anvil and a 360 degree swivel.
13) Chain Vise
The chain is used to hold the pipe in the chain vise. The clamping effectively maintains the V-shape of the pipe. To fit perfectly with uneven pipes or other items, this chain is made of high tensile strength steel.
Since the length of the chain limits the working range of the vise, chain vises tend to have a wider working range and a larger capacity. The large clamping area of the chain determines the entire circumference of the pipe.
One of the main disadvantages of chain vises is that it takes longer to hold a pipe with a chain vise than with other types of vises, as the chain needs to be carefully and correctly passed between the jaws of the tool to clamp the pipe securely.
14) Yoke vise
Yoke vise, also known as hinge vise or adjustable jaw vise, uses screws to hold the pipe in place. The vise can hold the pipe securely due to the movable upper jaw and the V-shaped lower jaw. These jaws have serrations to hold the object firmly.
15) Leg vice
Leg vise is commonly used in blacksmith shops. Forging tasks such as forging, bending and other processes are done while the hot workpiece is fixed in it. It is hung on the workbench in this way.
It has only one leg and can be immediately mounted on the wood. A hinge connects the two jaws (fixed jaw and movable jaw) together. The movable jaw handle opens easily when it is rotated with the help of a strong spring leaf placed between the two jaws. A spindle is mounted on the top of both jaws, which has square threads on it.
When the handle is turned, a nut box is inserted, which allows the movable jaw to open outward. The entire body is made of hard iron. Therefore, when we hit it with a hammer, it explodes without causing any harm.
16) Hand vise
This vise has long legs, similar to the leg vise, and opens in a similar way to the leg vise. This vise allows only smaller-sized jobs.
It cannot be fixed to the workstation, but held in the hand, as its name suggests. The wing nut is a point on the spindle located between the two jaws, which is used in place of the handles (fixed handle and movable handle). Since the spring load is fixed, it can be opened easily.
17) Combination hand vise
Combination hand vise can be used as both a hand vise and a small bench vise. It can be used as a hand vise in actual use. It also comes with a base clamp. It can also be mounted to the workbench with the help of this clamp. In this way, it can be used as a small bench vise.
Its unique selling point is that, just like a swivel vise, it can be mounted to any desired angle by simply loosening the wing nut. Here, steel forging technology is used to make a combination hand vise. The threads on the left and right sides of the spindle are cut. Therefore, both jaws can be easily opened or closed at the same time.
18) Pin vise
The pin vise functions like a small drill chuck. Similar to the chuck in the pin vise, there are three jaws. The upper part is elongated and has six or eight panes. The hole in the vise body is used to store cables or pins.
The pin vise can be opened and closed by force by hand. Watchmakers or instrument makers can use it to fix screws, pins, etc.